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the land of Khorassan? The voice of the summoner of death called them and they answered him, and the herald of destruction hailed them and they replied, saying, “Here are we.” Verily, that which they builded and fortified profited them not, neither did what they had gathered and provided [against a time of stress] avail for their defence.’
And at the foot of the tablet were graven the following verses:
Where be they these halls who builded and their galleries reared on high, Galleries whose stately fashion nought resembles neath the sky
Armies levied they and warriors, in their fear of him delights Who undoth; but they availed not, when th’ appointed day drew nigh.
Where be the Chosroës, sovereigns of the strengths that none might storm? As they’d never been, the countries have they left and fleeted by.
The Amir wept and exclaimed, ‘By Allah, we are indeed created for a grave matter!’ Then he copied the above inscription and passed on to the third tablet, Night dlxxiii.whereon was written what follows: ‘O son of Adam, thou busiest thee with the love of the world and neglectest the commandment of thy Lord. All the days of thy life pass by and thou art content to live thus. Make ready thy provision against the appointed day and prepare to answer the Lord of all creatures.’
And at the foot were written these verses:
Where’s he who peopled all the lands, both Hind and Sind, of yore? He who transgressed and sinned and played the tyrant heretofore?
Ethiops and Abyssinians all unto his beck did bow, What while himself he magnified and arrogantly bore.
Look not for news of that which is within his tomb, for thou One who can tidings give of this shalt meet with nevermore.
The stroke of imminent death on him fell and from its assault Not all the halls he built could save nor all his hoarded store.
At this Mousa wept sore, then, going on to the fourth tablet, he read the following inscription thereon: ‘O son of Adam, how long shall thy Lord bear with thee and thou
